Just Confessed and Anxious

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Hello again everyone,

So I just confessed (and received the Eucharist) but I withheld a sin with full consent, I don’t know why but I did, I felt as if that sin wasn’t important.

As I think about it and thought about it through mass, I think I did the right thing because that specific sin was a sin I couldn’t control, the sin itself was more like asking for help. The sin was “thinking about bad things during church” such as lust, etc (I did confess lust though). As crazy as it sounds whenever I go to church I think about awful disgusting stuff that I honestly cannot control, I know it seems like I’m crazy but this does happen and I wish I could control it and not think of that. Literally right after confession I pray and pray to avoid thinking about that stuff. Sitting through mass I thought and thought about going to receive the Eucharist or waiting and confessing this next week even though I just gone to confession. I ended up thinking that I should receive the Eucharist because I can’t control this and it happens every time I go to mass. So next time I just plan on telling the priest what I could do to avoid thinking about those things.

Does this happen to anyone else, please ask questions if you’re confused. Any feedback is appreciated!
 
Unless you actively willed it, ignore thoughts that pop up — it is not sin — it’s an unfortunate effect of fallen human nature. Put up a mental wall, box it up and throw it into a black hole, re-focus during Mass.

If you did not will it completely, then it cannot be mortal sin, and it might not even be venial sin.

It seems like you’re not wanting these thoughts but they show up like annoying internet pop-up ads.

Ignore, push away.
 
I can relate. I used to giggle uncontrollably at funerals. I have sometimes had crude or perverse - occasionally even blasphemous - thoughts during Mass. Have you ever tried to not think of something? Not trying makes you think of it. I used to have this so bad I had to be medicated. I think a lot of this kind of thing is due to underlying anxiety. The brain is flighty. Not everything thought is intentional. You confessed lust. No need to worry. Go in peace!
 
I can relate so much, it gets extremely annoying and all there is to do is ignore it, and ask God to help you.
 
Yes this happens with me all the time, the altar girl is really cute. I’m 14, we’re the same age, I’m not some weird grown man.

Ok sorry I’m going on a bit. Basically this happens to the best of us and as others have said, as long as you do not consent you are good. These are just demons tempting you. The audacity for them to tempt in the presence of our Blessed Lord 😡
 
You are 16…and by reading your past postings are suffering from scrupulosity.

The standard response is not to keep posting on CAF but to seek out a confessor and follow his directions. He will advise you only to follow his advice … by asking anybody and everybody your condition will not be helped but likely worsen.

Just knock on the presbytery and ask for a priest. Tell him you want regular spiritual direction.
God bless.
 
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Internal sins against chastity committed in a church do not constitute a grave sin of sacrilege, so even if you gave full consent to the lustful thoughts, it was sufficient to confess the lustful thoughts. Mentioning that they occurred in church is not required.
 
Happened same to me.
At first was very scary,thinking i was crazy,etc
Now know Devil wants us to get out of the chutch because is trembling in front of all the love to Christ.
So be strong…say inyour mind i know your tricks stay away! Jesus is my love.
 
I’m sorry, I have really bad anxiety and that’s why I came to the forums. And I do plan on telling the priest this next confession. Also what is a spiritual direction?

Thank you!
 
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Anxiety, scrupulousity and intrusive thoughts are related. It sounds to me like these may have been intrusive thoughts. I can have them myself, especially when under stress. They can be awful thoughts. The good news is the fact you think the thoughts are awful is the sign that you aren’t willing them and don’t want them.

I’d recommend seeking spiritual and other counseling to help you deal with your anxiety, scrupulousity and intrusive thoughts. Your problem can get better with the right techniques.
 
Hi! Happens to me all the time. The weird thoughts I mean. Especially in Church. I’ve just learnt to chill. Please don’t skip communion because of scrupulosity.

I don’t really know why these thoughts come to you. I for sure have some mental or spiritual disturbance. Maybe it’s because you’re trying not to think them. Or maybe you have some disorder where the religious surroundings trigger thoughts which you think are inappropriate. One method that helps to figure if I’ve sinned or not is to call Mother Mary for help. St. Alphonsus Ligouri said that if anyone calls on the name of Mary during a lustful temptation doesn’t sin. So you can tell yourself that every time you call Mother Mary you haven’t sinned. For other kinda weird thoughts, except blasphemy, I don’t really think you commit a sin by just thinking about it. Its only that way for lust and blasphemy. You can commit a mortal sin by just blaspheming in your mind. Also if you curse someone in your mind you shouldn’t. For these also, try calling Mother Mary for help.
 
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Thanks for this post and the replies. I have this issue too at times - and rather than discuss with anyone, I’ve kept it inside. It is very isolating, making me think that there is something fundamentally wrong with me. Just hearing this discussed here is very helpful to me.

I’ve been slowly opening myself up to more grace from God in the last few years, allowing His healing work to begin in areas that I did not think were possible. I am learning through an act of will to just “let go” and say “I believe” and “I trust in You” when I am tormented with doubts, temptations, or obsessive thoughts. I believe God takes every opening for grace that we allow Him. Slowly saying the Hail Mary or Our Father, focusing on the meaning of each word is something I do too. Realizing that I am not alone in this particular struggle I feel can help me open this area up more for God’s healing. So again, thank you to all in this thread. He created us. He knows us better than we know ourselves. “Lord, take all that I am, I let go and trust in You.” And in answer to these prayers, I should add, that sometimes I feel His simple reply is, “Peace.”

Because I now know that others have this issue, please know that I will be praying for you - especially during Mass, that He may draw us all closer to Him, and help to order our thoughts. Christ makes himself so humbly available to us in the Eucharist, divesting Himself of all His grandeur, so I believe this is the perfect moment for us to reciprocate and to humbly present ourselves, warts and all with our broken natures, back to Him. “Take me Lord, with all my imperfections. I believe. I trust.” His flesh is real food. And just as food nourishes our physical bodies, His real presence nourishes our souls. He wants to make us whole.

I think this all requires patience too. Just a daily seeking of Him, letting go of ourselves bit by bit, allowing Him to slowly tranform us.
 
Catholicman-maryland said:
I am learning through an act of will to just “let go” and say “I believe” and “I trust in You” when I am tormented with doubts, temptations, or obsessive thoughts. I believe God takes every opening for grace that we allow Him. Slowly saying the Hail Mary or Our Father, focusing on the meaning of each word is something I do too.
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Excellent. In my own personal experience the key is to let go and trust. That is the solution. It is hard precisely because you don’t want to. Not that I don’t struggle but life is for us all a battle.

Also doing physical things slowly and purposefully (attentively) is great for the anxious mind.
 
First thing I suggest is to accept the graces of absolution without anxiety. Concupisence is a matter to discuss with your priest.
Do you feel that impiety is the root cause? Your post does not seem to indicate you are irreverent at mass. It does identify that you bear a cross that weighs on you heavily. Our burden is light if we allow Jesus to work the yoke with us as He asks of us. God never forces Himself on us. So, offer it up to Him. A quick prayer, Jesus I trust in you, or, Lord, I love you help my unbelief. Our Eastern brothers learn to breath Him in and exhale what is not of Him. Of course, knowing a prayer to your guardian angel, Saint Raphael and Saint Michael can help keep us in Jesus and away from the enemy.
The enemy is the accuser, cast him to where he belongs. Find help for the guilt you feel. You may want to consider psychological council and a spiritual director. There are resources and your pastor should be one of the first as God intends His priests to be holy and spirit filled men. They are weak human persons as all of us but your pastor should be well disposed to aid you in this matter you hold as a fault.
 
Spiritual direction is receiving such direction from the same priest who knows your history whenever you come. You may include a confession at the end of the session.

The scrupulous usually like to hide behind anonymity and so go undetected.
This is not at all going to help you.
 
Read 2 Corinthians chapter 10 every day. Meditate on it.

Make “and take every thought captive in obedience to Christ” your motto. Write it down.


While temptations come, we do not simply throw up our hands and give up. We are to be victorious.
 
Ditto on the spiritual direction recommendation 👍 Spiritual direction is an ongoing relationship where you meet one-on-one with a director, who can be lay or ordained but has special training in this area, and they help you to discern and to hear God’s voice in your life.
 
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